Manpower problems at Bethel reason behind delay in annual report (page 3)

truthseeker

Another thing I remembered - the US Branch is NOT the head branch anylonger. They are just another branch, like the British branch, the Australian branch.

So with no central branch facility in the world, who really pulls the strings?

ezekiel3

So with no central branch facility in the world, who really pulls the strings?

It should be remembered that the GB, Service Dept, and Writing Commitee are stationed at Patterson NY. Patterson also hosts the Gilead missionary school as well as art and AV production of all publications/media.

WTS did diversify by dispersing production and management of operations to various world branches. This is simply smart tactics, think crab-grass. However, the organization is still run from NY, specifically Patterson.

Back to topic: This "manpower" rumor doesn't go far with me. Sounds like they're still cooking the numbers. Prepare for suspicious totals in the Feb 15 WT.

blondie

The WTS spun the decrease in 1978 (1.4%) this way: I thought it is noteworthy that they do not use the scripture in Matthew 7 regarding the love of the greater number cooling off (which officially in print the WTS has historically applied to 'Christendom') but Matthew 13:18-22 regarding the seed on varoius types of soil (I always thought that applied to those that JWs preached to).

pp. 23-31 1979 Yearbook of Jehovah?s Witnesses ***

There has been an overall 1.4-percent decrease in the number of Kingdom publishers. This has had a bearing on the decline in other features of the work as far as the totals are concerned. There are individual countries where increases continue, whereas other lands show a leveling off or a drop in activity. While 95,052 new ones were baptized in expression of their faith, thus declaring themselves to be disciples of Jesus Christ, this has not resulted in a proportionate increase in the number of Kingdom publishers. On the contrary, there were 2,086,698, on the average, who shared in making known the "good news" compared with 2,117,194 the year before. The peak number of publishers came to 2,182,341, which is also below that of last year. It is obvious that for one reason or another a number did not share in giving a witness each month, and others became inactive.

How should we view this situation? There is certainly no need to become unduly disturbed and lose our spiritual balance. As with all other things, Christians let God?s Word adjust their thinking and set things straight in their minds. Jehovah always provides them with needed direction in his own time and way. He never forsakes his people. (1 Ki. 8:57; Ps. 94:14) During this new service year, we will confidently look to him, praying for his guidance and working to retrieve any who have strayed. (Matt. 18:12-14) If there are those in our congregations who have slacked their hand, efforts should be made, especially by those who are undershepherds, to encourage them kindly by word and, above all, by setting a good example.?Heb. 12:12, 13; 1 Cor. 11:1.

At the same time, we will have in mind the scriptures that forewarn us of what to expect. Some will stumble and fall away or become unfruitful for various reasons. (Matt. 13:18-22) Furthermore, as shown at Revelation 3:15, 16, the Lord Jesus Christ, who knows the spiritual condition of each one who professes to be his follower, does not tolerate lukewarmness. He advises any who are in that state now to rectify their condition if they are to please him. And just as some deviated from the truth in the first century, it is not surprising that the same thing happens today. Jehovah knows those who belong to him. (2 Tim. 2:18, 19) Warning examples of what befell the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land should keep us individually from becoming overconfident. (1 Cor. 10:12) The seriousness of this matter is emphasized in the fact that 29,893 were disfellowshiped last year. There is no question that our faith is being tested today. Jehovah will retain in his favor and service only those who are clean, yes, the ones striving to meet all the Scriptural requirements and prove themselves fit to be entrusted with the "good news."?Mic. 6:8; 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1; 1 Thess. 2:4.

confusedjw

At the same time, we will have in mind the scriptures that forewarn us of what to expect. Some will stumble and fall away or become unfruitful for various reasons. (Matt. 13:18-22)

And the scriptures also warn of those who will try to mislead saying twisted things - "The end is going to come is 1975, probably, likely, possibly - well it's your fault anyway sheep"

JustTickledPink

Well, when they built the local assembly halls in Plant City and Daytona Beach FL it took them 2 years to complete them. Now, trying to figure out how many years of free labor would it take to built these high rises? Are they planning on working on them for 10 years or what? It seems like NYC would have a construction timeline and wouldn't permit them to built it part time for years. Does anyone know?

Also - if they built only residential buildings there, they would be able to sell them off quickly in NYC in the future if needed.

metatron

The reason behind DUMBO "expansion" is simple: they need more money.

First, they build a central structure on land they own , using free volunteer labor.

Then, they sell off valuable brownstone properties in Brooklyn - that have greatly appreciated in value, over many years.

It's simple - and the volunteer suckers will buy into it.

metatron

eyeslice

I agree this is a strange move. We live in the age of the internet and computers so the actual process of compiling the figures must be much easier than say 40 years ago.

My guess is that there is nothing too sinister about this particularly but rather that the lead time for publishing is getting longer, i.e. content is now prepared 6 months in advance in order that the magazines are all the same in the published languages.

Eyeslice

czarofmischief

I would say that cashflow problems outweigh the manpower issues. Sixofnine's speculation that they are shifting from publishing / mind control and getting into high-level real estate development sounds right. As a "religion", almost everything they do is tax-free; and they can develop property with slave labor and sell it at a huge profit. Being a religion, I think their books are either closed or inscrutable under their layers of corporations.

It's really quite slick; and with their butt buddies at the U.N. I bet they are doing the same thing in major cities all over the world. No wonder the Russians hate them - they got to live without them for generations and suddenly they roll in, flashing their cash and buying up properties and selling them without paying any taxes. And every time the government tries to call them on it, the EU and the UN denounce that government for "religious discrimination." Look at France...

Given the levels of corruption being exposed at the U.N. right now, I wouldn't be surprised if a little digging didn't turn up a kickback to the Human Rights commission every time they denounced Georgia, Russia, or France. Or Greece, even... The WT is always publishing about how they got awards of various kinds from the one-Worlder crowd...

WOW! I should start my own e-watchman style website.

CZAR

one

The tradicional statistic lovers are worry about recent statistics.

Talk about a dog, your best friend, turning around to bite you?

Is there any other religion more concerned with grow and numbers?

What that tells you,?

Only corp concerned with $$ profits do that, that's their goal and sure do the drilling on the the selling team.

I will never forget a jw prospect asking

how could you measure spirituality with numbers.

He became elder (still is), i could never forget his retorical question, it really helped me to walk out.

GermanXJW

Does this affect in any way the publication of the Yearbook 2005?

Manpower problems at Bethel reason behind delay in annual report

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